Spain's Cucurella sees goal disallowed for goalkeeper foul, later takes lead against Austria

The incident

Spain's Marc Cucurella forced the ball home after a right-side corner in the 29th minute, but Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg immediately blew for a foul. He judged that defender Pau Cubarsí had obstructed Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, preventing him from clearing before the shot. The goal was chalked off without any VAR review, despite lengthy protests from Spanish players.

Referee's reasoning

Match officials had been instructed to penalise goalkeeper screens, a point of emphasis at this World Cup. Contact between Cubarsí and Schlager as both jumped for the corner was deemed enough to disallow the goal. Germany earlier saw a goal disallowed against Paraguay for a similar screen infringement, a precedent cited by analysts.

Controversy

Replays showed Cubarsí watching the ball throughout the aerial challenge, not the goalkeeper. Spanish players argued the defender's intent was to play the ball, but Nyberg stood by his on-field call. The incident sparked a heated touchline reaction and debate in the stadium.

Spain's response

Spain, who had dominated possession, did not let the decision derail them. Later in the first half, a Cucurella cross found Mikel Oyarzabal, who turned the ball into the net to put Luis de la Fuente's side ahead. The goal ensured the disallowed effort did not affect the scoreline going into the interval.